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DCHD
releases “Place Matters” report
on Health Equity in Duval County
April 10, 2008
The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) has released a comprehensive report of its research on health equity in Jacksonville entitled “Place Matters.” The report highlights high risk factor locations and their disparities as major chronic and public health problems in Duval County.
Read the report here.
“We believe that the public must be made aware of the many health disparities that are plaguing our community,” said DCHD Director Robert Harmon, MD, PhD. “Our goal is to start the conversation that will result in policies that improve social conditions and public health outcomes.”
Jacksonville is one of more than 100 communities throughout the nation that is partnering in a national health equity campaign entitled, “Unnatural Causes”. Through this national partnership, communities across the America are working to build strategic alliances to closely examine how social conditions and policies around housing, crime, the environment, transportation and economics closely factor into our health and wellbeing. This campaign offers Jacksonville the opportunity to work together as a community to gain a better understanding of the root causes of poor health, and to examine and learn from other innovative, community-based approaches to improving health and social conditions.
The root causes of poor health are being extensively examined in the four-part documentary series “Unnatural Causes” currently airing on WJCT (Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. on Channel 7 or 8). Tonight’s episode, also entitled “Place Matters,” provides examples of chronic and public health conditions similar those found in Duval County and possible solutions that other communities have implemented. The series provides opportunities to learn more about how racism, crime, poverty, stress, education, housing and transportation policies can make us sick.
Studies show that strategies to improve the quality of life of individuals, as a community, have an impact on health, and are considered to be health policy. To start this important effort, DCHD has hosted discussions and viewings of the “Unnatural Causes” series with staff, community leaders and stakeholders. These viewings have generated healthy discussions on health equity in Jacksonville and what can be done to address the issue.
For questions about the report contact Rebecca Filipowicz, MPH, MS, CHES Coordinator, Center for Health Statistics Institute for Health, Policy and Evaluation Research Duval County Health Department at 253-2051.
Duval County Health Department
Main Office
515 W. 6th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
253-1000
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